Readying for a showdown

A tableau by the Dalit Christians in Delhi depicting the 'crucifixion of justice'Problems have a way of persisting as elections draw near. After 45 years of making the same demand, this time the Dalit Christians asking that SC status be extended to Dalit converts to Christianity are determined to hold out to the very end.

Last fort night, as the 10-day protest programme organised by the National Coordination Committee for SC Christians came to a close, its members were already chalking out plans for the coming months. And with a counter-campaign launched by the BJP even as the Congress(I) dithers on the issue, a fierce battle seems imminent.

As the coordination committee stepped up the pressure, the BJP last fortnight made its first move: on December 8, the party's SC Morcha marched to Parliament threatening a nationwide agitation if the Government made efforts to amend the 19 50 Constitution (SC) Order to include Dalit Christians. Says BJP MP Vijay Kumar Malhotra: "These people were lured into Christianity with promises of jobs, education and medical facilities, and because they were told that there is no caste system among Christians. If they want reservations, let them come back to the Hindu fold."

Archbishop Powathil, Roman Catholic bishop of the Changanacherry archdiocese of Kerala and one of the leaders of the movement, reacts strongly: "The social and economic disabilities of several centuries do not simply disappear because of a change in religion. Further, a Dalit Christian is not living in a society that is totally Christian."

The arguments have been heard before. What is new is the organised approach of the coordination committee to the current agitation. At a meeting of a 'coregroup' held in Delhi on December 6, a six-month plan was mooted. A beginning was made on December 10 - International Human Rights Day - when black flags were hoisted on all churches throughout the country. There are also rallies scheduled across the country.

While the demand has invited the wrath of the BJP, it seems to have received the support of most other parties. A number of MPS. including Union Minister for Personnel Margaret Alva, Jaipal Reddy and Ram Vilas Paswan of the Janata Dal (JD) and Harkishen Singh Surjeel of the CPI(M) have extended their support to the agitationists. And there is the likelihood that the issue will become a poll plank.

Paswan says that if the present Congress Government doesn't extend reservations to Dalit Christians, the id would include it in its manifesto for the next general election. Meanwhile, in a strongly worded statement to Prime Minister P.V. Narasimha Rao. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalitha expressed her solidarity with the Dalit Christians.

The ruling party, for now. seems to have adopted a wait-and-watch attitude. While a delegation of the coordination committee was not granted an appointment with the prime minister, later, on December 3. Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting P.A. Sangma announced at a function in Madras that, following a meeting with some Christian MPS, Rao has asked the Union home minister to convene an all-party meeting to discuss the issue. Sangma said the Government is "actively considering" the demand. The coordination committee points out that successive governments have been saying just that for45 years now.

This cynicism is in sharp contrast to the attitude of the BJP. Malhotra. for instance, fears the Government will resort to an ordinance after the Parliament session is over. But the Government seems unwilling to take a stand. Says Union Welfare Minister Sitaram Kesari, otherwise known to be a vocal supporter of reservations for all backward communities: "We are consulting all parties. As the party in power, we cannot even open our mouths."

Significantly, the minorities cell (MC) of the Congress(I) has extended its support to the Dalit Christians. Says MC Chairman Tariq Anwar: "We have already communicated to the prime minister that we feel the demand should be conceded."

This, however, came only after the MC had demanded that reservations for the Muslim community as a whole be included in the party's election manifesto. Predictably, the move has further irked the BJP. 'As it is. Christians and Muslims have the benefit of a minority status." says Malhotra. "Even if only the Dalit Christians are given reservations, this means they will get a double benefit."

The last time there was a major movement by the Dalit Christians was when several lakh people converged in the capital in 1990 in the wake of the anti-Mandal agitation. At the time, a delegation met the then prime minister V.P. Singh and a committee was constituted to look in to the matter.

But the government fell before any action could be taken. This time, what has hurt the sentiments of the community is the possibility of a situation arising where the Muslim community as a whole is given reservations while the demands of even the Dalit Christians are not conceded. "This is a plain denial of human rights." says Powathil, "and there is certainly a feeling among the Christian community that they are being taken for granted."

While the confusion prevails, the Dalit Christians are making long-term plans. Sources said that among the steps being considered, if the Government doesn't act during the winter session of Parliament, are: approaching the UN and international human-rights organisations and. in an extreme situation, an indefinite closure of all Christian schools and colleges in the country.

"All we are asking is that a right that is given to the Hindus. Buddhists and Sikhs be extended to the Christians too," they say. "Is that asking for too much?" Going by the hostile attitude of their opponents, the answer to that question may be a long time incoming.